Medications

Can you all tell me what meds you are on or combination of meds that are helping?
I am not able to take SSRI's or SNRI's because I have bi-polar disorder and they send me off into a crazy manic state.
Right now I am taking Neurontin, Flexeril, and Naprosyn. They helped a little but I am still in agony.
Also, what have you tried that worked for fatigue? The fatigue is almost worse than the pain.
Seriously, this is my day: Get up, drop my kids at school, drop my husband at work, come home and crawl in bed till it's time to pick up the kids, pick up the kids, pick up the husband, go back to bed.
It's just ridiculous.
Please, Please...if you all have any tips for me, let me know. My quality of life is zilch right now.
Thank You !!!!

hi,
i wish i had an answer for you. empathy i do have. in the past i tried the meds you are on. the neurontin was helpful somewhat but i started having stroke like episodes so had to quit.
as for energy vitamin b complex and a sublingual b-12. also electrolyte suppliments. those are the only things that do help me have a bit more get up and go.
fatigue is just an aspect of fibro. learning to live around it is work but it can be done. i personally think you are doing great to be able to get your family off for the day and be wise and rest so you have energy for them when they come home.
now to make it fun for you. i play drive in movie bed. pop some popcorn, a big jug of water and a good movie. my heating pad, my favorite pillows and reminding myself my life is what i make of it. i can't control the body but i can control my mind and what i think of my life.
i love my life and i am grateful for the energy when it comes. i am dutiful and rest my body when she asks for rest. i need her.
my life is not exciting. it's quiet. for some it may be boring. for me it is perfect. i can still dance the night away in my mind and often do.
peace,
blue

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tanasmom (09-06-2012)

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tanasmom (09-06-2012)

I'm like you, bipolar so I can't take Cymbalta, Savella, etc. I've been taking Norco for the pain, it's a narcotic. But it's the only thing that didn't interact with my other meds. It works fairly well. I know I probably would get better relief from one of the other meds like Cymbalta, but I can't take them. I also go to the gym to sit in the hot tub/whirlpool and I use a lot of heat and warm baths. The pain's not completely gone, but it's managable. I was thinking of trying massage therapy, but right now I have too many tender points for that.

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tanasmom (09-06-2012)

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tanasmom (09-06-2012)

My daily meds:
Oxycontin 60mg 3x per day
Nucynta 100mg 4x per day for break through pain
Robaxin 750 3x per day - muscle relaxer
Ativan 0.5 mg 3x per day
Ambien 10 mg as needed for sleep

I don't currently take anything for the Chronic Fatigue. In the past they had me taking a very expensive drug (can't remember the name) it was for Narcolepsy and it did absolutely nothing so stopped taking it.

The medication above does not help much with the pain itself...it just tells my brain to deal with it.

What kind of doctor do you see for the pain meds like Norco? My Rhuematologist is prescribing it for now but he said he usually doesn't prescribe controlled substances so I would need a pain doctor for that. He was also reluctant to prescribe provigil...he says I need another doctor for that as well. What doctor can do it all ???

Rhuematologists don't usually like to give medication stronger than Lortabs/Norco. Mine had no problem doing so and required me to come in every 3 months. I needed stronger and long acting drugs which put them in a different schedule class and said I would need a Pain Management Specialist. Quiet frequently they are Anesthesiologists with special training. The one I see is and she does it all. It took us a few months of trying different drugs and amounts before we finally hit on what works best for me. Be prepared for a more strict procedure once you switch over to a Pain Specialist. I had read good and bad things about them and fought my Rhuematologist for over a year before finally giving in and switching and once I switched I kicked myself in the rear for not doing so sooner....I lucked up and got a GREAT lady. They are not all like her so if you go that route and aren't happy with that particular one keep looking.

What kind of doctor do you see for the pain meds like Norco? My Rhuematologist is prescribing it for now but he said he usually doesn't prescribe controlled substances so I would need a pain doctor for that. He was also reluctant to prescribe provigil...he says I need another doctor for that as well. What doctor can do it all ???

I see a rheumatologist. However, many people I know are in PM, or pain management. See if you dr can refer you to one. It may take a few tries to find one you click with. That is probably where I will end up. Like the previous poster said, they're usually anesthesiologists with more training. They could also prescribe you Provigil as well. You could also ask your GP, but most GPs aren't comfortable with that.

Last edited by waters04; 09-10-2012 at 06:47 PM.

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tanasmom (09-12-2012)